As is so often the case in agile working environments, a user story comes relatively early on:
I've been doing an internship at wibas for a little over three months now. After this time, I think it's a good idea to think about two things: 1) to pause for a moment and recapitulate for myself what I've experienced and felt during these months; 2) to use these insights to give interested students - perhaps future interns - an additional idea of what an internship at wibas is like.
How was the first month of your internship for you?
A sprint change, an academy, two multi-day training sessions, a week of strategy development at the customer, several days at different companies: When I think about it, it doesn't really feel like it all happened in the first month. During a lunch break, I was asked how it felt for me to work here. Especially in the first month, it felt a bit like being on board an accelerating rocket. A lot happens in a very short space of time and I have seen, experienced and learned an incredible amount.
How was the application process for your internship?
I sent an email with my application documents on a Sunday evening and the next morning my cell phone rang: "Hello, Sybille here from wibas. We've just received your application, do you have a moment for a chat?". A brief shock, to be honest I hadn't expected such a quick response. In a nice, short phone call, we talked about my application and my intentions for an internship at wibas. This was followed by an in-depth, personal interview at the headquarters in Darmstadt. Shortly afterwards, we got to know Malte Foegen. Before the start of the internship, I was also invited to watch a sprint change to get a first impression.
Overall, I had the feeling during the entire application process that people were really interested in who I was and what I wanted from my time at wibas.
What are your tasks, what about the copy-and-coffee cliché?
During my internship, I accompany Malte Foegen in his consulting work with clients, on change projects and in workshops. The tasks and contexts here are very varied and I take on the tasks that I feel I can handle. During my time at wibas, I am assigned to a permanent Epic team, which also works together on a wide variety of tasks - for example, new publications, certifications for training courses, etc., etc., etc. The cliché of the constantly copying intern as cheap labor is not confirmed here. There is excellent coffee and espresso here, but I only have to make it for myself.
Did you have any concerns?
Of course. I'm currently studying for a Master's degree in educational science and had doubts as to whether this profile would make me at all suitable for a management consultancy. After a short time, these concerns have subsided a little. Here at wibas, I got to know a very interdisciplinary and open team. The really good ideas come from the different perspectives of the various professions. I still realize that there are many exciting areas that I have had little contact with so far. However, I see this more as a learning opportunity and try to put less pressure on myself.
What has impressed you so far?
There are still a lot of question marks in my head, especially at the beginning. I was and still am very impressed by the onboarding process. Individual employees from HR and IT took a lot of time to introduce me to the individual systems in detail and also had the time to answer my (subjectively felt countless) questions. Thank you for that! I was provided with a Macbook and an iPhone for my time at wibas, so that as an intern I could also work within a very good technical infrastructure. This is also reflected in the office space, where I am free to choose where I want to work. Am I in the mood for more people today? Perfect conditions for a day at the large workbench. Quiet mental work? Rent the small Citadel workspace. Been sitting too long? Try working at one of the adjustable high tables.
As a prospective educational scientist, I am also impressed by the methodological diversity within the workshops. Working with simulations, role exercises and the like opens up opportunities for the group to experience agility in very different ways, to get involved within the educational spaces opened up and to learn through real experiences. I think it's brilliant to experience both sides of the training courses during my internship: On the front side, a very relaxed and intuitive training. On the other hand, I learned that this very free form of training design requires well thought-out preparation and can be continuously improved through review and reflection (in terms of didactics, methodology and collaboration).
Do you have any tips for future applicants?
It made sense for me to opt for a full-time internship and consciously take a break from my other activities (current studies, other jobs) and also use part of the semester break. It made sense for me to be able to focus primarily on my time here and not be preoccupied with other 'construction sites'. Of course, I can only speak for myself in this case and think that other forms of internships could also be possible here.
Especially in the first two weeks, the agile way of working at wibas was a bit confusing for me. It feels very confusing at first - especially if you are used to other work settings and contexts - to work within sprints and proactively pull your own tasks. I wouldn't call it a full-blown culture shock, but for me it was a clearly noticeable 'culture shock'. Of course, this feels uncomfortable at first. In retrospect, it was enriching for me to have such experiences during my studies. I was able to benefit enormously from the initial irritation and the subsequent realization and insight.
Finally, 10 things I think you can learn as an intern here, sorted by ROI 🙂
At wibas you have the opportunity to learn ...:
- you will gain a great deal from the consultants' experience.
- to work with very different digital tools.
- expand your self-organization enormously.
- to delve deep into the theory and practice of agile work.
- to recognize and contribute your individual strengths.
- to experience what is going on in new working environments.
- get to know a setting of flexible working.
- to improve your English skills.
- to test a job with a travel component for a certain period of time.
- to find out what skills are needed as a 'pink elephant domestique'.
Curious? Click here for the internship positions: https://www.wibas.com/de/praktikum/
Or send your application to wibas straight away.
If you have any questions, please call Sybille Besecke: +49-6151-503349-23
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